Hvata-hybrid vertical axis turbine assembly operable under omni-directional flow for power generating systems

ABSTRACT

A hybrid, vertical axis helical turbine assembly capable of providing unidirectional rotation under an omni-directional low speed obverse fluid flow (gas or liquid), respectively gas flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises a minimum (but not limited to) of three hybrid (airfoil enhanced helical vane profile) wings, which are substantially spaced from the vertical axis (Z) and circumferentially spaced from one another. Each hybrid wing is fixed to the center hub in a rigid position by two or more arms, which are symmetrically located from each other in conjunction with the hub&#39;s horizontal axis (X). The hybrid, vertical axis helical turbine assembly provides high torque at very low wind speed because of the absolute symmetric airfoil enhanced helical vane profile wing, which design maintain adaptive lift to drag ratio over the one rotational revolution time line in coincidence of the upwind direction. These characteristics make the hybrid, vertical axis helical turbine assembly suitable for urban off grid and grid tie applications in low wind speed areas and areas of reputable wind turbulence.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/745,790, filed Dec. 25, 2012, entitled “HVATA-HYBRIDVERTICAL AXIS TURBINE ASSEMBLY OPERABLE UNDER OMNI-DIRECTIONAL FLOW FORPOWER GENERATING SYSTEMS” the contest of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to turbines and more particular to turbinescapable of unidirectional rotation under omni-directional fluid flowsfor the use as a part of power generating systems

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing vertical Axis turbines have a number of problems includingpulsing power cycle; airfoils variable angle of attack (AoA); very highcentrifugal stresses on the structure and axial pressure on thebearings. Further, increasing of tip speed ratio (TSR) on specifictypes, design and modifications cause decrease of torque especially atlow fluid flow (upwind speed). The present invention provides a designof vertical axis turbine assembly in which at least some of theabovementioned problems are alleviated or fully remedied.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1.) In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, provided isa vertical axis turbine assembly characterized by a plurality ofelongated turbine wings rigidly mounted about a shared central axis (Z),each turbine wing having an airfoil enhanced helical vane profile with acontinuously curved inner foil surface and a cut-away portion on anouter foil surface.

2.) In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention,provided is a vertical axis turbine assembly characterized by aplurality of elongated turbine wings rigidly mounted about a sharedcentral axis (Z), each turbine wing having an airfoil enhanced helicalvane profile, which is formed as a result of 60° left (againstcounterclockwise) rotational twist from bottom to top around axis (Z) atthe distance equal to turbine's radius (D/2).

3.) In accordance with an further aspect of the present invention,provided is a vertical axis turbine assembly characterized by aplurality of elongated turbine wings rigidly mounted about a sharedcentral axis (Z), each turbine wing having an airfoil shaped profilewith a continuously curved inner foil surface, wherein the turbine wingprofiles are disposed at an angle of less than 90° to a radius lineextending from the axis.

4.) In accordance with a yet further of the present invention, providedis a vertical axis turbine assembly characterized by a plurality ofelongated turbine wings rigidly mounted about a shared central axis (Z),each turbine wing having an airfoil shaped profile within a continuouslycurved inner foil surface, wherein each wing is connected to the sharedcentral hub (perpendicular to axis Z and located in the geometric centerof the turbine assembly) by concentrically symmetric arms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be entirelyunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hybrid vertical axis turbineassembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hybrid vertical axis turbine assemblyaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the hybrid vertical axis turbine assemblyaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom right side perspective view of the hybrid verticalaxis turbine assembly according to the present invention, the left side,front and back views being identical thereto;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wing of the hybrid vertical axisturbine assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is back side view of a wing of the hybrid vertical axis turbineassembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows geometry and positioning example of the cross-sectional topview of a turbine wing useful to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of a hybrid vertical axis turbineassembly according to the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 8 and the following description represent certain examples toinform those knowledgeable in the art how to make and use the best meansof the invention. For the purpose of educating inventive principles,some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Thoseknowledgeable in the art will appreciate variations from these examplesthat fall within the scope of the invention. Those knowledgeable in theart will appreciate that the features described below can be combined invarious ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result,the invention is not limited to the specific examples described below,but only by the claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the hybrid, vertical axis helicalturbine assembly (HVATA) (100) according to an embodiment of theinvention. It should be appreciated that the permanent magnet alternator(PMA) of the HVATA (100) is not shown for the purpose of clarity. Thepermanent magnet alternator (PMA) used may comprise any suitable (PMA)or other electro-mechanic generator as is known in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numerals which denotesimilar elements throughout the several views, where is shown anddescribed the invention of hybrid, vertical axis helical turbineassembly (HVATA) capable of providing unidirectional rotation under anomni-directional low speed obverse fluid flow (gas or liquid),respectively gas flow. FIG. 1 to 4 are perspective views illustratingthe HVATA, generally designated (100), of the invention. As shown, theassembly (100) comprises a minimum (but not limited to) of three hybrid(airfoil enhanced helical vane profile) wings (101), which aresubstantially spaced from the vertical axis (Z) and circumferentiallyspaced from one another. Each hybrid wing (101) is fixed to the centerhub (105) in a rigid position by two or more arms (102) and angularbrackets (103), which are symmetrically located from each other inconjunction with the hub's (105) horizontal axis (X), but closing a 60degree angle in relation with axis (Y). Each of the plurality of theairfoil enhanced vane profile helical wings (101) is designed andpivotally carried on the assembly (100), with a control means tomaintain a relatively constant angle of attack (13) (112) to a relativewind vector in any of the 360° positions over the turbines diameter (D)(113) for the entire height (H) (114) of the assembly (100) in any givenincrement of the one revolution time line.

The HVATA (100) further comprises a plurality, in this case three, ofhybrid airfoil enhanced helical vane profile wings (101). The wings(101) are equal spaced FIG. 1 to 4.

Each wing (101) comprises a leading edge (118), a trailing edge (120),an outer low pressure lift producing curved surface (122) and an innerrelatively high (ambient/upwind) pressure surface (124). The surface(124) extends from the leading edge (118) for the entire inner distanceto the trailing edge (120), in this case the dimension (111) is noted inFIG. 7. Thus, there is a gap between a trailing end of each surface(124) and the corresponding trailing edge (120). A turbine spinningdirection is indicated by arrows (109). As shown, ambient/upwind windindicated by the arrows (107) pushes into a hollow part of the wing andgenerating drag (108) of a wing (101) facing down wind. On the upperside, which is 120 degree a part from this section of the wing, the sameambient/upwind generates lift force over the surface (122). This actionfacilitates start up movement of the HVATA (100). The 60 degree helicalwing twist and the overall helical turbine assembly provides high torqueat very low wind speed because of the absolute symmetric airfoilenhanced helical vane profile wing, which design maintain adaptive liftto drag ratio over the one rotational revolution time line incoincidence of the upwind direction.

This effectively increases the blade (wing's section profile) angle,which in turn reduces performance thereby reducing the TSR in relationto increasing wind speeds. This is a simple way of reducing high windspeed spin rates and reducing the chance of runaway and also reducingnoise, vibration and turbine damage.

FIG. 7 shows a blade—typical section view from the wing (101) accordingto an embodiment of the invention. In addition shown in FIG. 7 aregeometry, typical proportions and fixed position of the wing, whichdefines angle of attack (β) (112).

FIG. 8 shows allocation of the blades—typical section view from theturbine (100) according to an embodiment of the invention. In additionshown in FIG. 8 are geometry, typical proportions and fixed position ofthe wing's profile in relation to the axis (X), (Y) and (Z), and theupwind vector (107) and generated force of lift (106) and force of drag(108).

Having in consideration that the principles of the invention have nowbeen made comprehensible in illustrative embodiments, there will be atonce obvious to those skilled in the art modifications of structure,proportions, and elements, materials, and components, used in theobserve of the invention, which are particularly adapted for specificenvironments and operating requirements without departing from thoseprinciples. This invention is not to be limited by what has beendescribed except as designated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A Hybrid, Vertical Axis helical Turbine Assembly(HVATA) capable of providing unidirectional rotation under anomni-directional low speed obverse fluid flow (gas or liquid),respectively gas flow is disclosed.
 2. A HVATA according to claim 1,further comprising high torque at very low wind speed because of theabsolute symmetric airfoil enhanced helical vane profile wing.
 3. Ahybrid vertical axis wind turbine assembly according to claim 2, whereinthe turbine wings are substantially spaced from the vertical axis (Z)and circumferentially spaced from one another on 60 degree for theentire height of the HVATA.
 4. A wind turbine according to claim 3,wherein the turbine wings are positioned in absolute symmetric airfoilenhanced helical vane profile, which design maintain adaptive lift todrag ratio over the one rotational revolution time line in coincidenceof the upwind direction.
 5. The HVATA invention integrates allfundamental advantages of the Darieus and Savonius vertical axisturbines, lift force giving improved self-starting characteristics,improved significant torque in any wind speed, and causes the turbine tohave improved acceleration parameters through the low wind speed and upto full operating speeds Furthermore, absolute symmetric design andlocation of the hub is in the ideal geometric center and maintainsbalance of aero/fluid-dynamic vector/forces and in particular, aconcentric and eccentric one, which are the main causes of stress on thebearing(s) at the point of connection with the energy transducer (PMA)or other electro-mechanic generator. The HVATA invention integrates allfundamental advantages of the Darieus and Savonius vertical axisturbines, where: lift force giving improved self-startingcharacteristics, drag force giving improved significant torque in anywind speed, and causes the turbine to have improved accelerationparameters through the low wind speed and up to full operating speedsbecause of each turbine wing having an airfoil enhanced helical vaneprofile with a continuously curved inner foil surface and a cut-awayportion on an outer foil surface. Furthermore, absolute symmetric designand location of the hub is in the ideal geometric center and maintainsbalance of aero/fluid-dynamic vector/forces and in particular, aconcentric and eccentric one, which are the main causes of stress on thebearing(s) at the point of connection with the energy transducer (PMA)or other electro-mechanic generator.
 6. The HVATA of claim 5, furthercomprising three or more wings (101) having an airfoil enhanced helicalvane profile defined by twist of 60° angle on the ends of continuouslycurved inner foil surface (120).
 7. The HVATA of claim 5, furthercomprising three or more wings (101), which are fixed to the center hubin a rigid position and locked at typical (β) angle of attack defined byturbine diameter/axis (113) and tangency (117), which geometricallyrepresents vector of the relative wind.
 8. The HVATA of claim 5, furthercomprising three or more wings (101) with main shape parameters definedby equation (110) C2×D and equation (111) C1×D where C2 and C1 areexperimentally defined coefficients and D is diameter of the windturbine.
 9. The HVATA of claim 5, further comprising three or more wings(101), which are fixed to the center hub in a rigid position and lockedat typical distance from each other for the entire height (114), whichis equal to the turbine, respectively wing height (H) and maintaincontinues consistent 60° left (against counterclockwise) rotationaltwist from bottom to top around axis (Z).